The Chautauqua County Silk Industry

Here's something interesting from the history books: for about 30 years, Chautauqua County had a flourishing silk industry. Apparently silk production in Chautauqua County began in the late 1820s by a man who is more famous for his role in grape production. Within ten years a "cocoonery" was in operation along the Chadakoin River in Dexterville (East Jamestown). A detailed history of the Chautauqua County silk industry can be found in a book entitled "The Conquest of Chautauqua" (1932) by Arthur Wellington Anderson - County Historian.

The raising of silk worms, and the reeling of silk was introduced in this county by Elijah Fay, of Brockton, in 1827, when he brought from the East the mulberry trees, prepared for the production of silk. The industry spread slowly at first, but rapidly over the county in the 30's and 40's. About the year 1845, it began to decline, and was probably nearly extinct by 1860.

- Chapter XII: Highlights in County History -The Silk Industry in Chautauqua County (p. 357)

Autobiography by Samuel A. Carlson - Meeting Adolf Hitler

Samuel A. Carlson, circa 1900

Continuing with the post from Feb. 26, 2011 regarding the 1943 Autobiography of former Mayor of Jamestown, Samuel A. Carlson (1868–1961).

I thought I'd jump ahead in the book a little bit and present the passage in Carlson's Autobiography where he discusses his encounter with Adolf Hitler. The meeting took place during the summer of 1933 when Carlson - along with a group of other U.S. mayors - toured nearly every major country in Europe. The purpose of the trip was to promote municipally owned/operated utilities and services. 

Carlson first mentions his meeting with Hitler on page 46 of his autobiography. The section is entitled, "Hitler True to Form." I think it was most likely written in 1942 or early 1943. The mayor is, as expected, highly critical of the German leader.  

Old Jamestown - Alonzo Kent

While doing research, I came across a series of articles that appeared in the Jamestown Evening Post from November 1919 through February 1920. The were simply entitled "Old Jamestown" or "Old Jamestowners" and dealt with the early history of the city.

This specific article involved Alonzo Kent, came to Jamestown at the age of 22 with a mere 50 cents in his pocket. But in due time, Kent became a very prosperous businessman, owning the Kent House Hotel in Lakewood and the Kent Mansion in Jamestown, which was the first brick home built in the city. No expense was spared when this Italianate mansion was constructed. Today, the Kent Mansion serves as the home of the Robert H. Jackson Center.

Old Jamestown – Chautauqua Lake Dredging

While doing research, I came across a series of articles that appeared in the Jamestown Evening Post from November 1919 through February 1920. The were simply entitled "Old Jamestown" or "Old Jamestowners" and dealt with the early history of the city.

The following deals with the first dam on the Chadakoin, built sometime in the 18th century by French soldiers, prior to the Revolutionary War.

Old Jamestown – The Blind Horse Dance

While doing research, I came across a series of articles that appeared in the Jamestown Evening Post from November 1919 through February, 1920. The were simply entitled "Old Jamestown" or "Old Jamestowners" and dealt with the early history of the city.

The following article deals with the first dance in Jamestown back in 1816. It would be referred to for years afterward as "The Blind Horse Dance."

Old Jamestown

(Jamestown Evening Post – Jan. 7, 1920)

The Allen Tavern - Built in 1815 at the Southwest Corner of Main and Third Streets, burned in 1852. It's not known if this is the structure that hosted the "Blind Horse Dance," but it was built during the same time period.

In Memoriam: William Broadhead - Part 2

Last month I posted some information about William Broadhead, one of the most well-known manufacturers in Jamestown's history. The text came from a booklet various newspaper articles detailing the life of Broadhead. It was published shortly after his death. 

Here is another article about Broadhead, this time published two days after his death in the Jamestown Morning Post. That day's editorial from the Post can be found below the article.

Autobiography by Samuel A. Carlson - Part 3

Continuing with the post from Nov. 8, 2010 regarding the 1943 Autobiography of former Mayor of Jamestown, Samuel A. Carlson (1868–1961).

Much of this passage deals with the establishment and improvement to Jamestown's water system. In addition there is mention to Carlson's efforts to establish a Natural Gas Plant and a Telephone Plant. I think one of the most interesting parts of this section, however, is Carlson's feelings on partisan elections, and his endorsement for the removal of party affiliation on the ballots. This portion of the section can be located at the end under the sub-heading, "Non-Partisan Election."

Samuel A. Carlson, Circa 1900

Autobiography by Samuel A. Carlson - Mayor Emeritus
and Comments on His Fifty Years of Public Service

[Page 9 - 12]

In Memoriam: William Broadhead - Part 1

I was doing some research for the Bicentennial Biographies project and came across a booklet detailing the life of William Broadhead. Broadhead was born in England in 1819 and moved to Jamestown, N.Y. when he reached adulthood. In his life, he became the city's leading industrialist - employing thousands of residents at the Broadhead Mills operation on First St. in Jamestown and later the Jamestown Worsted Mills operation on Harrison St. He died in May, 1910 and it may have been one of the few times in the city's history that nearly all operations came to a halt to pay tribute to one individual.

Autobiography by Samuel A. Carlson - Part 2

Continuing with the post from Oct. 31 regarding the 1943 Autobiography of former Mayor of Jamestown, Samuel A. Carlson (1868–1961).

Here, Mayor Carlson discusses the first time he was elected mayor of the city and his unwillingness to toe the party line. He also talks about the city's purchase of the local Niagara Power System, under his administration, which led to an enormous savings to the city while also providing affordable electricity to every resident in Jamestown.

Samuel A. Carlson, Circa 1900

  Autobiography by Samuel A. Carlson - Mayor Emeritus

and Comments on His Fifty Years of Public Service

[Page 5 - 9]

Autobiography by Samuel A. Carlson - Part 1

Last week I was visiting a few local antique shops and came across a signed copy of the Autobiography of former Jamestown Mayor Samuel A. Carlson (1868–1961). Carlson was the longest-serving mayor in Jamestown's history and he compiled an impressive 50 years of public service to the city. As a result of his various municipal projects,including the effort to provide affordable electricity to the residents and businesses within the city, he's considered one of the most prominent and influential people in Chautauqua County's history and is one of the 200 people who will be featured in next year's Bicentennial Biographies project. 

To celebrate his milestone of 50 years in public service, and at the urging of various friends and colleagues, Carlson wrote and published his autobiography in 1943, printed by the Liberty Printing Company of Jamestown, N.Y.

Since several people have told me they'd be interested in reading the book, I thought it may be best to offer as much of the biography as time would allow on my blog. So from time to time I'll enter passages of the book. Also, anyone interested in borrowing the book and reading it can do so by contacting me. It's only 72 pages long, making for a fairly quick read.

Samuel A. Carlson, Circa 1900

Autobiography by Samuel A. Carlson - Mayor Emeritus
and Comments on His Fifty Years of Public Service

[Page 1 - 4]

 

Brick is Red

Courtesy of S. Holland (via Retro Jamestown on Facebook)

Brick streets. Let's talk about 'em.

The well weathered brick streets of Jamestown can be found in just about every neighborhood throughout the city. While many of the streets have held up well, there are quite a few that have become the bane of several local residents' existence (especially anyone who's ever lived on Linwood).

Last Fall (October, 2009), the city unveiled a historical marker on Allen St. devoted to the brick streets of Jamestown. It was placed at the Allen St. location because that's where all the bricks came from. Typically, some details about all Jamestown's historical markers in the city can be found here at the city's website. Unfortunately, they've yet to post details about the newest historical marker. So here are some details from a story I wrote for the Chautauqua Star (Many of the details for this article were provided by Jamestown City Historian, B. Deloris Thompson).